It was a busy holiday weekend in Los Angeles. No, it wasn’t President’s Day or Labor Day. It’s the Oscars , and for Angelenos, it’s an official holiday. If you are not going to an Oscar party, you are hearing about one from your friends and everyone is huddled around their television by 2:00 pm as stars strut their most glamorous stuff down the red carpet. Some gowns make us gasp in awe, while others can make us gape in disbelief. The good, the bad, and the “I can’t believe she wore that” is part and parcel of the annual festivities.
For those in media and entertainment, it’s also time for highly anticipated gifting suites. From Hollywood to Beverly Hills, celebs big and small, their entourages, and media invites get gussied up to mix and mingle with friends and acquaintances and sashay down aisles of exclusive products from fine jewelry and designer clothes, to the latest in health, wellness and beauty. Botox on-site is not uncommon, as are spontaneous makeovers and hair styling,
It was our job this Oscar weekend to check out a few (someone’s got to do it) and live to tell the tale. So, without further adieu, here is everything you need to know about the three fabulous lounges we attended.
Clean Living Magazine Eco-Luxe Experience and Gifting Suite
Without a doubt, the standout of the weekend. Not just because it was held in an expansive, multi-million dollar Bel Air golf course adjacent estate to which we were shuttled to and from in Cadillac vans. This was an event by and for women in honor of both Women’s History Month, the Oscars, and a showcase for sustainable and fair-trade brands founded by diverse women. It also did not hurt that the logoed totes were cute as could be and Fair Trade LA and the American Cancer Society were the charity sponsors.
Once inside the multi-level estate ($65 million, to be exact) flanked by wraparound verandas and a swimming pool encircled by rock-formation landscaping, guests experienced a multitude of brand activations and IG worthy photo ops surrounded by sumptuously sunny California décor, a kitchen full of chef-prepared healthy bites, and rooms and intimate alcoves full of woman-owned wellness and fashion brands – each full of life with a unique story to tell.
While we loved them all, there were a handful of brands that stood out for us, in no small part due to the brand founders’ enthusiasm and eagerness to share their vision. From Spain, Ayuna (Spanish for less is beauty) was founded by two former corporate cosmetics executives who sought a departure from the beauty mainstream into something more authentic and nature-focused. The result is a brand dedicated graceful well-aging with pure, effective and clean ingredients.
Award- winning brand Vaihea welcomes you to the world of skincare by way of raw Polynesian botanicals. Committed to clean beauty standards, Vaihea products are meticulously crafted to impart a radiant complexion with the use of raw natural extracts known for their efficacy and purity. One of the most unique products we encountered was Lunaescent – a multi-tasking beauty tool designed to minimize product waste, maximize product efficacy, and eliminate contamination. The no-fingers-in-the-jar product applicator not only prevents germs from touching delicate skin, it increases product absorption and helps de-puff and massage skin for a more lifted complexion.
Sunscreen protection was well represented with two innovative brands. Espieve was founded by an aesthetician sick and tired of the harsh chemicals and low performance found in so many suncare products. Determined to wash away the pasty white cast along with all the toxins we can do without, Espieve was born. A clean brand of mineral face and body sunscreens that are photo-stable, free of all chemicals, and full of skin-loving antioxidants. Jumping to the other side of the pond, it took two hip London ladies to conjure Palm Springs in colorful tubes for the ultimate sun protection with a dose of cheeky glam. Cruelty-free and deliciously affordable, Pool Bar London is made for women who love a little Palm Springs flair with their suncare. Made with nourishing ingredients, these mineral sunscreens impart a healthy glow free of the white film common in mineral sunscreens. Created with the belief that suncare is glamorous, especially when it protects skin from damaging UV rays that age and oxidize skin.
Founded by a scientist with flaming pink hair on quest for what seemed impossible: clean, consciously-crafted skin and body care that is as luxurious and effective as it is affordable. And oh yeah, specifically for women over 40. The mature lady scientist
did it, and now we have Simply Sue’s Naturally– an irrestistable range of naturally formulated products with packaging as colorful as Sue’s hair.
Now that women are talking openly about sexual health, it was only a matter of time before a physician and branding executive duo both named Meg would invent the world’s first non-prescription UTI prevention in pill form. More good for you from the inside-out brands on hand included CBD mushroom coffee from Element Apothic, mushroom infused beverages from Melting Forest, sippable anti-aging from Active Beauty, and High Ground sparkling beverages, among many others.
We adored all the flowy fashions from brands like Isla & Sage, but we were especially intrigued by craft jewelry brand Astor and Orion, because great hoops never go out of fashion. Founded in 2019 by Karen Hartman, their designs break the mold of what is expected from an eco-brand. Through the adoption of an innovative 3D sculpting technology originally developed for gaming and special effects, circular design philosophy, and 3rd party certified production, Astor & Orion is showing the world you can respect the people and the planet while creating absolutely stunning jewelry.
We applaud all the wonderful brands and the organizers that created this incredible collective of women visionaries forging the future of sustainable living and wellness.
Derek Warburton and GURUS Magazine Pre-Oscars Gifting Retreat
The pre-Oscar buzz is infectious, but everyone needs a break from the crowd. The master of style and LA’s premier party host, Derek Warburton invited celebrities and influencers to taste the “suite” life high above the city and the maddening chaos of award season bashes with a breezy soiree on the rooftop lounge of the Godfrey Hotel Hollywood.
Once inside the open-air lounge, guests were greeted with sparkling cocktails and bird’s eye view of the city. With ample plush sofas and room to roam, the space was perfect to mix and mingle or enjoy a tarot reading, reiki massage, or stop by the Habitat For Humanity booth to write a personal message or paint pottery for a recipient in need. Several heroes from the Los Angeles Fire Department made an appearance for group photo that would accompany a future Gurus Magazine cover story.
Guests indulged in spa touch-ups compliments of Dr. Michael K. Newman or pick-up some of the latest beauty products from Peter Thomas Roth, Kevin Murphy, and SLMD Skincare. Other stations included a buffet of organic farmers’ market produce, a Gurus juicing station, fashion, jewelry, live podcasting, cocktails or mocktails, live music, and a Gurus flower shop just in time for spring.
Heather Marianna’s Enchant Luxury Gifting Lounge
Event producer and beauty entrepreneur Heather Marianna welcomed a parade of celebrities, industry vips, influencers, and media during the daylong event. The luxury suite will feature a full open bar, food stations, a smoothie and juice bar by Bare Essentials and Roots Lyfestyle, premium oxygenated water by Ophora, a sound bowl experience, fashion and accessories, on-site injectables and fillers, skincare, lashes, cosmetics, hair extensions, and much, much more. Celebrities in attendance included Paul Oakenfold, Gilles Marini, Martin Rodriguez, Johnny Whitworth, Jacqueline Laurita, Maria Conchita Alonso, Anne Ramsay, Naomi Grossman, and many others.
“The Hollywood community has weathered some tragic events over the past months,” Marianna says. “We wanted to create some positive and uplifting moments with our annual celebration of awards season. We have invited some very special people and given them the much-needed VIP experience, including a young girl bullied at her school,” Marianna recounts.
The food and libation options flowed, including Diniz Cellars, Dulce Vida Tequila, Empress 1908 Gin, Sip Awards, Weber Ranch Vodka, and Wein Cellars, as well as Bare Essentials and Roots Lyfestyle and Ophora Water. Fashion is everything on Oscar weekend. Fashion brands making an appearance included Dria Dair by Kendria Godair, the trendy Natsukashii ink clothing brand, as well as must-have anti-shapewear by Skanties.
Beauty and wellness brands always take center stage. The roundup included Marianna’s own brands Beauty Kitchen Junkie and Beauty Brand Coaching, Aegis Formulas, cutting-edge supplements that support optimal health at the cellular level, beaut. beautyco’s natural products, BeezGone Skin Repair, DabaLash, KED Cosmetics, Libra Lip & Lash Co., Michel Medspa, offered onsite Botox and fillers, Pixie Beauty, holistic services and products by Heather Taylor D’Amico’s Purefect Balance and Qcura hair extensions, a favorite of Marianna’s Emmy Suite last September.
Laguna Beach’s luxury hotel La Casa Del Camino once again offered up two-night stays. @lacasahotellb Empowered women took the spotlight with best-selling authors in attendance, including Cathy Holt (Change Agent Champion), Deborah Drummond (MISSION ACCEPTED: 262 Women – Creatives, Ultrapreneurs & Media; The Global Resilience Project), Irene Stronczak-Hogan (Hot Chixs, Hot Sex: How to Survive Menopause), Jo Ann Gramlich (Talk, Play, Read), Karen Goslin (Yellow Paint: Learning to Live Again), Leslie Capps (Wild Woman Marketing’s Leslie Capps (Ditch the Pitch: Win in Business by Telling Stories That Sell), Stefani Seek (Your Love Compass: A Woman’s Unconventional Guide to Dating & Relationships), SujataTiwari (Against All Odds: No Retakes, No Manuals, Real Life Lessons).
Additional sponsors included Boris Walks Alone Art, which presented attendees with an exclusive piece of art by Canadian artist Dean Stanton, Divine Bowls (to be launched at suite), Get Taylored by Heather, and The Gloria Law Group. Joe Petroski’s Profoundlyliving.com and Sorghum United, an organization created to combat the global crises of food insecurity, malnutrition, sustainability, and climate change.
Nevada-based Kiss My Paws Animal Rescue was the event’s official charitable partner. @kissmypawsrescue.